Orange Sauce Recipe
on Jul 15, 2020, Updated Jun 18, 2024
Sweet and tangy orange sauce is delicious in stir fry! It is easy to make at home, and perfect for bringing dishes like orange chicken and tofu with orange sauce to life in your own kitchen.
Making your own orange sauce is so easy!
Orange chicken was one of my favorite things to order takeout growing up. This recipe is inspired by the taste of something that you would buy at your favorite Chinese restaurant.
This recipe is what I used to make orange tofu, and vegan orange chicken (orange cauliflower) and it also makes a great sauce for veggie stir fry served over sticky white rice!
It is really so easy to make it yourself at home, and the flavor is amazing. I tested this recipe four times until the flavor was perfect. The end result is a flavorful, easy recipe that takes just 15 minutes to make!
What is orange sauce made of?
Homemade orange sauce is heavenly! This sweet sauce is made of orange juice, brown sugar, pure maple syrup, rice vinegar, soy sauce, minced garlic, and minced ginger.
How to make orange sauce
First, you will start with fresh minced ginger and garlic. Not much, as we want the orange flavor to be the star of this sauce!
In a sauce pan, add 1 teaspoon of neutral flavored oil.mCook the minced garlic and ginger for around 2 – 3 minutes, until fragrant.
Next, add the orange juice, brown sugar, maple syrup, rice vinegar, and soy sauce. Heat for 3 minutes. In a small bowl, make a slurry from 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and 1/4 cup of water.
What is a cornstarch slurry?
A cornstarch slurry is simply a mixture of cold water and cornstarch which is often used as a thickening agent in asian inspired sauces.
Add the slurry to the sauce, and whisk for 5 minutes, until thickened. Your sauce is now ready to serve!
I can’t be the only one obsessed with orange sauce on rice! Honestly, that might be my favorite part of finishing my plate.
This dish is perfect for veggie stir fry, orange chicken, tofu with orange sauce, or crispy orange cauliflower. Try making this at home and let me know what you think!
Is this recipe spicy?
No, it is not spicy. If you want a spicier sauce, add red pepper flakes to taste. I suggest starting with 1/8 teaspoon and going from there.
Is this orange sauce gluten free?
Yes it is! As long as you use gluten free soy sauce, all other ingredients are gluten free.
More Stir Fry Recipes
Orange Sauce
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup water
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh minced ginger
- 1 teaspoon olive oil , or other neutral oil
For the Cornstarch Slurry
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
- Heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil or other neutral flavored oil in a sauce pan
- Add the minced garlic and minced ginger and cook for 2 – 3 minutes, until fragrant. Stir often to avoid burning
- Add 1/3 cup water, orange juice, brown sugar, maple syrup, rice vinegar, and soy sauce and heat for 3 minutes, stirring often
- In a small bowl, whisk the 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and 1/4 cup of water to form the slurry
- Add the cornstarch slurry to the sauce and whisk to thicken, around 3 – 5 minutes
- Add orange sauce to your orange chicken, orange tofu, orange cauliflower, or use as sauce for stir fry veggies!
Oops I forgot to leave a rating with my other comment.
I think this is the third recipe of yours I made and I am here to profess my love to you. You are amazing. I made this with your orange tofu recipe and I almost cried. I’ve made so many Orange Sauce copy cat recipes that I was convinced that I’d never have anything as good as the restaurant. I was wrong again.
You made my day! I’m so happy you enjoyed the recipe Genevive!! 🙂
Love all the fresh ingredients. For my family’s liking, I’d add some more spice maybe some Dijon mustard or red pepper flakes when frying the garlic. Thanks.
I think red pepper flakes might add a nice heat to it!
I made a double batch this morning, using orange juice from oranges off our trees. This will be one that I make and freeze. Absolutely perfect.
So glad you enjoyed it Laurie!
Very quick to make and delicious! This is a recipe I’ll Keep. Thank you!!!
Thank you I was able to read out the ingredients but sadly after watching the ads for ages I got so distracted nearly fell asleep but never was able to watch the video.
It’s a good thing I didn’t fall asleep when testing this FREE recipe 5 times, paying for the video to be created, and spending hours of time writing and updating this post over the years. I hope you enjoyed the free recipe!
Great recipe!
tried your recipe for the first time. I didn’t think I did to well, but everyone who tried it loved it so I call that a win.
Note: Have all of your ingredients prepped before you start.
Great recipe and happy eating.
Absolutely perfect recipe for Orange Sauce!
So glad you enjoyed it Debbie!
Really good tasting and wasn’t hard to make but was hard to understand how much of everything was required for the recipe.